BTA2023 Africa’s startup ecosystem received a significant boost in 2025 as innovation hub Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) expanded its support for entrepreneurs across the continent.
According to its latest impact report, the Nigerian-based technology and innovation centre deployed $4.18 million in grants and subgrants to support 3,312 ventures across 49 African countries.
The organisation also trained more than 25,000 individuals, helping entrepreneurs and innovators develop skills needed to build and scale technology-driven solutions.
Focus on Education, Health, and the Creative Economy
Under the leadership of Ojoma Ochai, Managing Director of Co-Creation Hub, the organisation is focusing its strategy on three sectors where innovation can create large-scale impact:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Creative industries
“Africa prospers when education outcomes improve, when people can access quality healthcare, and when livelihoods become more resilient,” Ochai said.
Strengthening Africa’s EdTech Ecosystem
In the education sector, Co-Creation Hub supported the development of 15 new edtech products and accelerated 27 education technology startups across Nigeria and Kenya through its fellowship programmes.
These initiatives aim to improve learning outcomes through digital learning tools and innovative education platforms.
Supporting Digital Health Innovation
Healthcare innovation was another key focus area.
Through its Artificial Intelligence and Digital Public Infrastructure Health Programme, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the hub introduced nine health startups into sandbox environments where they could test solutions within real health systems.
Within nine months, the programme produced six interoperable digital health products designed to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Boosting Africa’s Creative Economy
The creative sector is emerging as a major economic driver across sub-Saharan Africa.
According to CcHUB, the sector accounts for 8.2% of jobs in the region and could generate 10% of global creative goods exports by 2030, valued at about $200 billion.
Through its creative economy programmes, CcHUB accelerated 16 cohorts across industries such as fashion, film, music, media, and design, enabling 640 women to launch and scale businesses in 2025.
Building Infrastructure for Startups
Beyond providing funding, Co-Creation Hub focuses on building the broader ecosystem needed for startups to succeed.
This includes partnerships with governments, universities, and research institutions to create pathways for startups to test and deploy technology solutions.
In 2025, the hub collaborated with 70 academic and research institutions across Nigeria, Kenya, and Namibia, helping student innovators turn research ideas into viable commercial products.
Helping Startups Attract Investment
The organisation’s impact report also highlights the economic ripple effects of ecosystem support.
According to CcHUB, every $1 it deployed in 2025 attracted roughly $5 in external investment, demonstrating how early-stage support can help startups reach the stage where investors are willing to fund them.
One example is Chpter, a social commerce platform that participated in CcHUB’s accelerator programme before securing partnerships with Safaricom, Absa Bank, and Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
The company later expanded to 11 African countries through a partnership with Flutterwave.
Through its network of supported ventures, CcHUB says startups within its ecosystem collectively reached 1.89 million people in 2025, highlighting the growing impact of Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
